FRANK MALONEY is predicting that heavyweight bruisers David Price and Sam Sexton will make British heavyweight boxing proud once more.

The pair clash on Saturday at Aintree Racecourse, home of the 4 ½ mile Grand National where Maloney stages a marathon show.

Price (12-0) and Norwich Sexton (15-2) clash for the vacant British and Commonwealth heavyweight title.

Maloney was disgusted when Tyson Fury preferred to dump the title rather than face 6ft 8in Olympic bronze medallist Price.

And last week it was announced that Dereck Chisora and David Haye would clash under Luxembourg licenses.

Maloney said: “Thankfully David and Sam are both gentlemen and will give fans a fight to remember.

“There has been no trash talking and whoever wins will be proud to call themselves British and Commonwealth champion.

“Fury tried to lessen the title by refusing to face David. Chisora and Haye have brought bad publicity to the sport.

“Obviously I am backing David to win, but Sam is a very good fighter and been a delight to work with during the build-up.”

The chief support sees Ashley Theophane (31-4-1) defends his British light-welterweight crown against Darren Hamilton (11-2) after Steve Williams pulled out on Monday.

In a third major title fight Liverpool rivals Paul Edwards (9-1) and Kevin Satchell square off for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight crown

In a special attraction classy Leeds boxer Adil Anwar (16-1) meets Dave Ryan (13-5) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.

Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.

Tickets are selling fast. The are some available priced at £95 (ringside), £75 (main floor) and £55 (floor) from www.frankmaloney.com/www.ticketmaster.com

- Ends –

I was surprised to say the least at the Board’s press statement dated 9th
May 2012 in relation to the Haye v Chisora fight at West Ham and
particularly the references to the Federation Luxembourgeoise de Boxe. I
am also concerned at the threats made to our members and other licence
holders of the Board of Control to withdraw their licences if they
participate in the show.
Our Association has worked alongside the BBB of C for 13 years. Generally
speaking this has been a good working relationship and we see no reason
for this to change if we all genuinely share a passion for the betterment
of British Boxing. However, over the last few years certain actions taken
by the Board have alienated license holders and we have no effective vote
on these decisions. The only people who can vote andhave a say in how the
Board is run are the Area Council Officers. However, these Officers are
not voted in by the licence holders but are appointed by the Board and the
Board itself appoints its own directors. Therefore, there is no-one who
can vote on any issues at all who has any duty to represent the licence
holders and we feel we have no voice.
Whilst we raised these concerns with you, nothing happened and you refused
to even discuss them. This culminated last year with a protest by license
holders at the Company’s AGM. As a result of which the AGM was suspended
with the Board agreeing to meet with a delegation of license holders to
discuss the way forward. The delegation (democratically elected) met with
you in Birmingham. We were told that you would listen to what we had to
say but would make no changes; there was little point in us meeting.
Since our meeting in Birmingham, there have been further matters which
caused us concern. Firstly Jane Couch’s licenses were taken away from her
in what seemed to us to be a personal dispute with her and the Chairman
rather than a matter which should have concerned the Board. This dispute
exposed worrying concerns about Mr Giles before the Board stepped down
having spent time and money fighting the dispute. Secondly, a complaint
was made by Mr Frank Warren over the lack of BBB of C support of Dereck
Chisora when he fought in Germany.
He alleged that had the Chairman been more pro-active then the issues in
Germany (including checking the security arrangements) could have been
avoided. I was not present in Germany and so do not know what happened,
but whoever was responsible, it does show that the Board and the Chairman
have lost the support of various licensees. I speculate, but this could be
because the Chairman has other loyalties which could cause licence holders
to question his full support. He is the Vice Chairman of the EBU and holds
a prominent position with the WBC.
After our meeting in Birmingham, the members of our Association together
with other licence holders entered into discussions with the Federation
Luxembourgeoise de Boxe. The Federation has been in existence in its
present form since inception in 1922. It is affiliated to the EBU, WBA,
WBO, IBF and WBC and it therefore is recognised by the BBBofC. Indeed the
BBBofC have authorised boxers to fight in tournaments regulated by the
Federation on many occasions in the past. It could not do otherwise
without being in breach of its own Rules. Less than a month ago the
Federation regulated and staged a show in Germany with the full support of
the German Federation who permitted its own licence holders to take part.
We were attracted to the Luxembourg Federation because its safety record
is second to none and it has personal injury insurance in place and strict
procedures for protecting the safety of boxers. However,coupled with that,
it is run by its members for its members. Managers, promoters and trainers
are allowed to vote at the Company’s AGM and therefore have a real say as
to how boxing is run. Whilst the Federation regulates the safety of
boxing, it confines this to licensing, ringside supervision and the
protection of the boxers in the ring, allowing the members freedom in
other areas. Therefore we entered into an agreement so that the
Association is now the Federation’s representative in the UK and has been
since March 12th 2012. I informed you of this and I informed you of the
insurance and safety provisions when we met. This makes press release all
the more surprising as I had been completely open with you as to what we
were doing, the reasons why and the protection which would be afforded to
the boxers under the Federation.
Moving onto the licensing of Haye v Chisora. Neither boxer is on the
banned / suspension list. Chisora was sanctioned by your own body and
having heard the evidence you decided to withdraw his licence rather than
ban him. It is worth noting that this was under enormous pressure and
scrutiny of the press. We are surprised that you question whether these
boxers should be licensed as they are both fit and well to fight, neither
have a criminal conviction and neither have been banned by yours or any
other sanctioning body. This is especially so when there has been not a
squeak out of the Board over Mayweather, Tyson, Scott Welch, Danny
Williams and currently Scott Dixon to name but a few.
From the perspective of our Association, I am concerned about your attempt
to intimidate your own members into not taking part. You do this in two
ways. First, you claim that you will de-licence any member who takes part
in the fight. This is unlawful and a breach of your own Rules. Secondly
you seek to limit the insurance for boxers who are licensed by the BBBofC
and would ordinarily have the benefit of insurance even if they fight
under a different sanctioning body. This, in particular, is an
extraordinary move for the BBBofC to seek to limit its own boxers’
insurance when they have paid license fees and taxes for the benefit of
this insurance. I seek from you the confirmation of your insurers of their
position – presumably you got this before issuing the press release and so
can send it to me by
return.
On behalf of our Association and the Federation, we require from you
agreement that you will not seek to interfere with the fight and show. If
this is not forthcoming by close of business on Friday 18th May 2012 then
the following will happen:
1) The membership of the Professional Boxing Promoters Association will
move for a vote of no-confidence in the Board; and
2) The Federation of Luxembourg will consult its lawyers to start
proceedings for restraint of trade that is if these proceedings have not
by then been brought by another individual or company in the meantime.
I look forward to hearing from you and if you wish to meet and discuss
matters, do let me know.
Yours sincerely
Bruce Baker
Chairman
Professional Boxing Promoters Association
Representatives Federation Luxembourgeoise de Boxe

ASHLEY THEOPHANE will now risk his British light-welterweight title against Darren Hamilton this weekend, after turning down a defence against Adil Anwar.

Hamilton, 33, has stepped in at four days’ notice to challenge Theophane (11-2), who was left without an opponent when Steve Williams pulled out on Monday.

Theophane (31-4-1) will win a Lonsdale belt outright if he defeats Hamilton at Aintree racecourse.

Their fight is the chief support when David Price (12-0) and Sam Sexton (15-2) clash for the vacant British and Commonwealth heavyweight title.

Promoter Frank Maloney wanted to match Theophane against Adil Anwar who boxes on the bill, but the champion refused.

Maloney said: “I wanted to make Ashley against Adil, which would have been a tremendous fight.

“Unfortunately Ashley didn’t want it and although that is disappointing I cannot force him into a fight.

“He will fight Darren who won’t make it easy in his quest to win a Lonsdale belt and I am sure fans will see a good contest.

“Darren was in training for a Southern Area title defence, and deserves a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate.”

In a third major title fight Liverpool rivals Paul Edwards (9-1) and Kevin Satchell square off for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight crown

Classy Leeds boxer Anwar (16-1) meets Dave Ryan (13-5) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.

Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.

 

RICKY HATTON has heaped praise on Hatton Promotions world class light-welterweight Ashley ‘The Treasure’ Theophane.

 

Hatton Promotions CEO Ricky Hatton said: “Ashley is an example to all boxers, and just wants to train and fight all comers.

“As soon as Williams pulled out he never once thought about not fighting because the British title and owning a Lonsdale belt means so much to him.

“I have nothing but admiration for him.”

Hatton hopes that Theophane will move into the world title picture later this year having dominated the British scene since winning the title against Lenny Daws in February 2011.

He added: “I am so lucky to promote so many top class fighters who are also dedicated to the sport.

“Ashley has done it his way and flown around the world solo just to benefit from top class sparring and experience in the best gyms.

“He has served his dues and a world title fight is no more than he deserves, but Hamilton is still there to give him a test.”

Scouse rivals Paul Edwards and Kevin Satchell rivals have a big fence to clear at Aintree racecourse this Saturday (April 19) – each other!

Their fight will now be for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight championship, which has been relinquished by Chris Edwards.

It is now the third major title fight topped by the vacant British and Commonwealth title clash between David Price (12-0) against Sam Sexton (15-2) at Aintree racecourse.

Former British champ Edwards (9-1) and Satchell (7-0) have put their friendship aside and promoter Frank Maloney is tipping a photo-finish.

Maloney said: “They are both every good young fighters and ambitious. It is a pick ‘em fight and so hard to pick a winner

“When they were matched against each other neither one of them needed to think about accepting the challenge.

“I believe they have sparred together often, but what you do on the night in that ring is all that counts.

“I hope that whoever wins will get a crack at Chris Edwards for the British because they will have earned that Lonsdale belt chance.”

In the chief support Ashley Theophane (31-4-1) defends his British light-welterweight crown against Liverpool’s Steve Williams (12-1).

In a special attraction classy Leeds boxer Adil Anwar (16-1) meets Dave Ryan (13-5) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.

Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.

Tickets are selling fast. The are some available priced at £95 (ringside), £75 (main floor) and £55 (floor) from www.frankmaloney.com/www.ticketmaster.com

DILLIAN ‘THE VILLAIN’ WHYTE has delivered a knockout punch to David Haye and Dereck Chisora by refusing to spar with both fighters.

The exciting London heavyweight prospect has sparred with them in the past, and when their summer grudge match was announced the rivals turned to unbeaten Whyte for help.

But Whyte (5-0) who meets fellow KO specialist Noureddine Meddoune (4-1) at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday refused.

Whyte, 24, explained: “They have both asked me to spar ahead of their clash, and that leaves me in a difficult situation.

“I have thought about it and I am not going to spar with either of them because they are both friends.

“David and Dereck have helped me in my career so I don’t want to spar with one and create bad feeling with the other.”

Whyte who beat British Olympic hope Anthony Joshua during a brief amateur career has also sparred with David Price and Tyson Fury.

Price (12-0) heads Saturday’s bumper bill when he meets Sam Sexton for the vacant British and Commonwealth heavyweight title.

Whyte added: “I am a tough guy and when I go to spar I bring it. A lot of guys go to spar and lay down after a couple of rounds – that is not me.”

The chief support sees Ashley Theophane (31-4-1) defends his British light-welterweight crown against a selected opponent after Steve Williams pulled out on Monday.

In a third major title fight Liverpool rivals Paul Edwards (9-1) and Kevin Satchell square off for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight crown

In a special attraction classy Leeds boxer Adil Anwar (16-1) meets Dave Ryan (13-5) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.

Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.

Tickets are selling fast. The are some available priced at £95 (ringside), £75 (main floor) and £55 (floor) from www.frankmaloney.com/www.ticketmaster.com

SCOTT QUIGG is shocked that bookies’ have made him red hot favourite to beat Rendall Munroe next month.

Quigg challenges Munroe for the vacant interim WBA super-bantamweight crown on Hatton Promotions ‘Road To Glory’ bill at Manchester Velodrome on Saturday 16^th June.

Although Quigg is British champion and undefeated in 24 fights, the Leicester southpaw is a former European champion and challenged Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC crown.

Bury’s Quigg, 23, said: “Bookies have me as favourite which is strange. I am the underdog.

“What Rendall has achieved and level he has fought at is fantastic. It is a massive step up from where I have been fighting.

“I have only had two major championship fights and people are saying my opponents Jason Booth and Jamie Arthur had seen their best days.

“I am not disagreeing and realise how much I’ll be up against it.  I haven’t even touched his level, but I know what I’m capable of doing

“There is no pressure on me. The only pressure I have is the fear of losing.

“On paper he should turn up and win, but I am one million per-cent confident I will win.”

The ‘Road To Glory’ bill also features a vacant European light-middleweight  title fight between Ryan Rhodes and Sergey Rabchenko, Martin Murray in championship action and Richard Towers facing Michael Wallisch for the vacant EU heavyweight crown.

There will be a talent stacked undercard that will include former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Craig Watson, unbeaten hopefuls Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Adam Little.

Ticket prices are now on sale priced £125 (VIP Inner Ringside + exclusive cash bar), £100 Ringside, £55, £35 and £30. You can purchase tickets by calling Hatton Promotions hotline 01925 755 222/www.ticketmaster.co.uk/0844 847 2500/www.ticketline.co.uk/0844 888 4402/www.hmv.com

For all the latest updates please follow the Twitter account dedicated to fight @quiggvmunroe

Dear Fans,

No one was more shocked and upset by the cancellation of next week’s fight than me.  I had been training hard for almost eight weeks and was ready to put on a dazzling performance and win my belts back.  I know many of you purchased tickets for the fight and had planned to make the trip to Las Vegas next weekend.  For any inconvenience or hardship this cancellation has caused, I am truly sorry.  We’re working hard to schedule my next fight for some time during the early summer in the States and hope that you can find a way to reschedule your arrangements and come out support me with the enthusiasm that you always do.  As you know, I always perform at my best when my fans are rooting me on.  Thanks as always for your support.

-Amir Khan

Ticket refunds for “Peterson vs. Khan II” will be available at your point of purchase.

Ticketmaster may be reached at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Event ticket refunds for fans traveling from the United Kingdom are available at www.sportscorporation.comor by calling +44 (0)845 163 0845.

Written By: Joe Jessup

It isn’t often that a fight comes along of such potential and exceeds those expectations, but Taylor v Chavez in a WBC and IBF Junior Welterweight unification bout on March 17th, 1990 was certainly one of those fights. Billed as ‘Thunder meets Lighting’ due to Chavez’s astonishing punching power and Taylor’s superhuman speed, the fight had absolutely everything: huge punches, great boxing skills, a first loss in either career and of course controversy. Also take the fact that it quickly succeeded the disappointing Tyson v Buster Douglas fight, it really deserves a huge amount of credit.

Coming in to the bout, Chavez was 68-0 with 55 early contests and was widely considered the greatest fighter in the world. His relentless pressure fighting and two-handed knockout power was seen as the best combination around, and he was expected to dispatch of the immensely talented Taylor with little trouble. Taylor in contrast was 24-0-1 with 14 k.o’s and what some people would consider a young Floyd Mayweather Jr. I am a big Floyd fan, but Taylor’s speed and footwork was on another level and he’s perhaps the quickest boxer I’ve ever seen. Despite immense talent and ability, Taylor liked to stand and trade as well. He was deep down a brawler. It was a scenario where there was two great boxers getting it on regardless of money and fame etc.

The opening to the bout was surprising to many as Taylor dominated Chavez, at times making him look amateur. His incredible footwork and hand speed, together with amazing accuracy had Chavez chasing shadows and eating leather. Taylor was showing the world here who the greatest fighter on the planet was. As the fight went on, Chavez failed to throw in the towel and relentlessly stalked his opponent round the ring, landing crushing blows whenever he could. As the fight wore on, Taylor began to tire and Chavez began to land hard shots more often. By the end of the 11th, Taylor almost walked back to the wrong corner in confusion and daze.

The final round will go down in history forever. Ahead on two of the three scorecards by quite a margin, Taylor needed only to survive the round and could afford to lose it. His corner and trainer, Lou Duva, however told Taylor that he needed this round to ensure victory, so he began trying to trade with the Mexican banger. The punishment Taylor had already taken was enough to stop most boxers of the day, but he continued to trade with Chavez until, with 14 seconds left, he was dropped by a huge right to the chin. This would prove to be the end of the fight. Taylor beat the standing 8 count, but failed to respond to referee Richard Steele’s question. He waved off the fight with just 2 seconds left on the clock and has forever come under criticism. Taylor couldn’t believe what had happened to him and nor could many ring side, just as they couldn’t believe the draw Chavez was gifted against Pernell Whitaker three years later.

Despite whether you think the referee was right or wrong to call the T.K.O, the toll on Taylor’s body meant he would never be the same fighter again. He went on to win more World titles, but never quite showed the majestic skills many witnessed on this legendary night. Chavez may have won the fight, but Meldrick Taylor proved who the superior boxer was. People like Taylor should not be forgotten by boxing fans; go back and watch highlights of his prime. Think Floyd Mayweather Jr and Pernell Whitaker rolled up in to one, but even faster. Yes Chavez went on to become one of the greatest boxers of all time, but on March 17th 1990, he was very much taught a boxing lesson.

Written by: Joe Jessup

Kell ‘Special K’ Brook’s (27-0, 18 K.O’s) recent victory over fellow Brit Matthew ‘Magic’ Hatton (42-6-2, 16 K.O’s) was no doubt impressive, but pretty expected to the hard-core boxing fan. Kell’s hand speed, reflexes and punching accuracy was always going to trouble the iron tough Hatton and ultimately, Matthew didn’t have enough class to hurt the Sheffield man.

Despite the predicted outcome, the fight did show us one thing that was hitherto debated however; Kell Brook is ready to mix it up with the best in the division. Take the fact that rising legend Saul Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 K.O’s) done pretty much the same job as Kell did against Hatton and it does bode well for Special K. Hatton himself said that Brook was ‘the best I’ve ever faced’, and it means so much more coming from an opponent than any writer/critic.

The tricky thing is what to do next though. American Carson Jones (34-8-2, 24 K.O’s) is being highly touted as the July 7th opponent and despite being labelled another ‘bum’, this is actually a step in the right direction for Brook. Jones is on a run of 8 straight knock out victories and is ranked highly by the IBF and WBO. He is a young, strong and able opponent, but one that Kell should deal with. This would give him more exposure in America as well as even more ranking points in other organisations. Anyone who is anyone in the Welterweight division is currently tied up with fights, so a decent victory will only serve to put his name out more.

I understand Eddie Hearns’ logic in trying to call out Devon ‘The Great’ Alexander (23-1, 13 K.O’s) and even hated rival Amir Khan (26-2, 18 K.O’s), but there really is no need to rush. I have no doubt that Brook would mix it up with these guys, but give it maybe two more fights before targeting the very best. In an ideal world, Kell will meet the winner of hard hitting Randall Bailey (42-7, 36 K.O’s) and up and coming Mike ‘Machine Gun’ Jones (26-0, 19 K.O’s), or perhaps pursue newly crowned WBA king Pauli ‘Magic man’ Malignaggi (35-4, 7 K.O’s); all fights that I see him winning.

Should Kell get through the hard punching Jones, which I expect he will, then the time is right to target world titles. The Jones fight represents another step in the right direction and would be a decent scalp to have at this stage of the game. Maybe the Khan fight beckons next year or maybe Kell will be a world champion by the end of this year, but for now, Kell needs to keep putting in great performances to ensure he gets to that stage.

David Price believes a hideaway camp in Germany will lead him to title glory next weekend.

The 6ft 8in heavyweight is now winding down preparations ahead of his vacant British and Commonwealth title clash against Sam Sexton (15-2) at Aintree racecourse on April 19.

Price, 28, recently returned from two weeks in Berlin  where he sparred with Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev who lifted the European crown last weekend.

And the Olympic bronze medallist says it would be a close run thing between him and Pulev who beat Alexander Dimitrenko to win his title.

Price (12-0) said: "We sparred a lot in the amateurs. Before the 2008 Olympics we did a lot of sparring and he would get on top of me so I wanted to go back and see where I was now. It was a good gauge.

"We did five spars in all and each one was different and one day I would get the better of him and the next he would have it more his own way."The camp in the German capital also helped ease the pressure ahead of the biggest night of his professional career.

Price added: "I needed to get away because there are a few distractions at home in the city. A lot more people want me to be here, there and everywhere.

"It is nice to know you are in demand, but training is the most important thing so I had to get away and focus.

"Just a few different things were getting in the way of my preparations. It has done me the world of good. There was nothing there apart from the hotel and the gym so there was plenty of time to focus.

In the chief support Ashley Theophane (31-4-1) defends his British light-welterweight crown against local Steve Williams (12-1).

A special attraction sees classy Leeds boxer Adil Anwar (16-1) tackle Lenny Daws (23-2-2) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.

Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Paul Edwards (9-1) v Kevin Satchel (7-0) vacant English flyweight title, Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.

Tickets are selling fast. The are some available priced at £95 (ringside), £75 (main floor) and £55 (floor) from www.frankmaloney.com/www.ticketmaster.com